Way cleared for relocation of North Fremantle fuel storage facilities

23/3/95

Planning Minister Richard Lewis has cleared the way for Caltex to proceed with plans to relocate some of its fuel storage facilities at North Fremantle.

The Minister has upheld an appeal against the Fremantle City Council's failure to make a decision on the company's proposal to construct a new 6,000 tonne storage tank at its terminal facility in Bracks Street.

The construction of the tank is the key to a proposal outlined by Caltex involving the consolidation of its facilities at Port Beach.

Caltex plans to move its storage facilities from the Port Beach foreshore area to its nearby terminal site where the Council had already approved the construction of three smaller storage tanks but had failed to approve the fourth larger tank.

Mr Lewis said the removal of the storage facilities and buildings from the foreshore site would allow the area to be rehabilitated for recreational use.

"The removal of the tanks follows the release last year of the Fremantle Regional Strategy which provided guidelines for the redevelopment of the coastline along Port Beach Road," he said.

"Access to the beach will be greatly improved and the amount of land allocated for fuel storage in the area will be reduced.

"This stretch of coastline has been the most neglected in the metropolitan area and is long overdue for a facelift."

However, the Minister said the removal of the tanks from the foreshore was not a long-term solution to the debate surrounding the fuel storage facilities at North Fremantle.

"The removal of the tanks from the foreshore was an interim improvement," Mr Lewis said.

"Caltex needs to continue to operate until any proposals dealing with a total relocation can be assessed and the necessary infrastructure put into place.

"The total relocation of fuel storage facilities away from North Fremantle is considered to be a long-term objective because of the massive costs involved."

In line with recommendations of the Fremantle Regional Strategy the Minister has set up a study committee comprising petroleum industry and Government agency representatives to look at alternative sites for fuel storage and distribution facilities.

Media contact:  Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595 or 221 1377